What is a HSS drill bit?

DRILL BIT MATERIALS

High-Speed Steel (HSS) is a popular material good for drilling into soft steels as well as wood and plastic. IT's an economical solution for most maintenance drilling applications.

Can you use HSS drill bits for steel?

HSS Bits. HSS or high-speed steel bits are made from carbon steel with the addition of other elements such as chrome and vanadium. This allows them to be used at high drilling speeds. HSS bits can be used to drill iron, steel and other metals such as brass, copper and aluminum alloy.

How do you know if a drill bit is HSS?

You can distinguish an HSS bit by its black color -- a conventional steel bit is chrome. If you're drilling through hardened metal, even an HSS bit can wear out quickly, and you may need one made from tungsten carbide or titanium.

What is the difference between SDS and HSS drill bits?

HSS drill bits fit into any standard chuck, either with a key or the keyless type. SDS+ fit into a special chuck with a groove on one side for the bit to fit into ( there's no physical tightening of the chuck as it's a positive lock on these) SDS Max is a variation of the last one but it's a lot bigger than SDS+.

What does 5 HSS mean on a drill bit?

High-Speed Steel (HSS) drill bits are used for drilling wood, light metals, fiberglass and PVC. Black oxide-coated drill bits are more durable than standard HSS bits and the coating helps the drill bit resist rust. These are best for hardwood, softwood, PVC, fiberglass and steel.

Basics of Drill Selection - Haas University

What type of drill bit is best for metal?

There are two types of drill bits that you can count on for metalworking projects: titanium and cobalt. Titanium drill bits are high-speed steel drill bits (HSS) that have a titanium oxide coating. They are very hard, and corrosion-resistant.

What is the strongest drill bit made?

Diamond Drill Bit

Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) is one of the hardest drill bit material, which can be used on the toughest materials, such as glass and ceramic.

Can you use HSS drill bit wood?

High-speed steel (HSS) drill bits can drill wood, fiberglass, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and soft metals such as aluminum. Cobalt drill bits are extremely hard and dissipate heat quickly. They're mostly used for boring in aluminum and tough metals such as stainless steel.

Can you drill concrete with HSS?

Carbide tipped: Carbide is an extremely strong metal that withstands enormous force. Carbide is also expensive, so tool manufacturers often use HSS for the shank, flutes and leads but add a piece of carbide to the point. Carbide tip bits are popular for masonry, concrete and tile drilling.

How do I know which drill bit to use?

The diameter of the hole you drill should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw. So, for example, if you're using a 3.5 mm screw, use a drill bit with a diameter of 3 mm. If you're using wall anchors as well as screws, the drill bit and anchors should have the same diameter.

Is there a difference between wood and metal drill bits?

The main difference between a metal and wood drill bit is in geometry. The wood bit has a spur in the center that will penetrate the wood and keep the bit stable during drilling. The metal bit is a twist bit with conical cutting tips followed by spiral flutes.

How hard are HSS drill bits?

HSS bits are hardwearing and heat resistant. The large concentrations of chrome and nickel in stainless steel ensure that HSS bits are super strong and durable. HSS drill bits are capable of safely drilling through hardwood, some metals and plastic.

Can I use wood drill bit on metal?

It does matter - wood drill bits won't work on metal (destroying the bit in the process, unless used on thin and soft metals) and metal drill bits will increase splintering and tear-out when used on wood (but this depends also on the wood type and the diameter of the bit, and for smaller diameters there is little ...

Can HSS drill stainless steel?

HSS or High-Speed-Steel bits are designed for use on stainless steel and can be used for hand and machine drilling.

Can I use HSS on stainless steel?

High-speed steel tools can be used on stainless steel, but shorter drills are the most effective as they are less susceptible to deflection. The best HSS drills for stainless steel are alloyed with tungsten or molybdenum.

What drill bits stay sharp the longest?

Best Titanium Set: Bosch Titanium Metal Drill Bit Set

Bosch's speed helix design gets the right bit through the correct material faster than other drill bits. The titanium bits last six times longer than high-speed steel and have a balanced double flute that significantly cuts down on vibration.

What drill bit do I need to drill into concrete?

Drill bits that can drill through concrete are called masonry bits. They are also good for drilling through brick and stone. Drill bits with a tungsten carbide tip are the strongest; when it comes to solid concrete, the sharper the better. Masonry bits cut holes through concrete in two steps.

What drill bit is for brick?

Masonry or mortar drill bits are the only type that can penetrate brick or mortar with ease. These bits are designed to deal with particular materials, so the central part of the bit is made of steel, while the tip has tungsten carbide to help it cut through tough walls.

Is there a drill bit for concrete and steel?

Daredevil Multi-Purpose Carbide Drill Bits for Drilling Tile, Masonry, Wood, Metal and Concrete (5-Piece)

What is hardest to drill through?

Carbide (Carb) is the hardest and most brittle of the drill bit materials. It's used mostly for production drilling where a high-quality tool holder and equipment is used.

What is the hardest metal to drill through?

The basis for many of the hardest drill bits is tungsten carbide. A metal that is five times stronger than steel, tungsten carbide by itself makes for a very hard drill that's quite resistant to heat.

Are cobalt or titanium drill bits better?

Cobalt drill bits are more expensive, but offer longer life, and are more resistant to heat than titanium drill bits. Cobalt drill bits are also tougher and can drill holes in the hardest metals. Here is a quick comparison chart that explains the key differences between titanium vs cobalt drill bits.

Why can't I drill through metal?

Drilling through metals create a lot of friction. This friction generates heat. The heat generated in the process not only damages your drill bits, but can also damage the metal you are drilling into.

How do you drill through hard metal?

In general, it's a good idea to drill through metal using as slow a speed as possible using a drill bit for metal. Hard metals like steel and larger drill bits require even slower speeds. With a small twist bit (1/16 in. to 3/16 in.), you can drill through most metals at 3,000 rpm.

Why is my drill not making a hole?

The most common reason a drill won't penetrate a wall at all is because the drill is spinning in the wrong direction. If the drill bit enters the wall and then hits resistance, the typical cause is a metal plate or masonry obstruction.